My phone Buzzes at exactly 12:03 am. Unknown number. I hesitate before answering “… hello?” Silence, then a deep voice. “You sound tired.” I sit up “uh.. who’s this?” A chuckle “wrong number, I guess..” “Then hang up” I say Quickly “I could..” he says lazily. “But u sound like you need someone to talk to” I should hang up.. but I don’t “Rough day?” He asks I exhale “You could say that” “Tell me about it” he says And for some reason I do.

I talk to this stranger in the dark, his voice smooth and calm, listening like he understands. “I should let you sleep” he says “Wait” I don’t want him to go “will you call again?” A pause, then “maybe.. midnight suits you” The line goes dead. Suddenly I can’t wait till next midnight